Everybody keeps talking about convergence, but getting video content from your computer to your television set has always been too difficult, or too expensive, for most consumers. But not anymore. . . .

On Monday, SanDisk announced the public beta of Fanfare, a “dynamic web-based service that enables consumers to download television shows, movies and other premium video content to portable devices.” Finally, something even my mother could use.

How does it work? For a mere 99 bucks, you get a 4 GB USB flash drive called the Sansa TakeTV Video Player (an 8 gigabyte model is available for $149.99). You install the Fanfare software on your computer, plug in the USB drive, and download movies and shows. When you’re done, you unplug the USB drive, dock it to a cradle connected to your TV set, and start watching.

I got to see this in action because Schematic designed, architected, and built the Fanfare software (plus a lot of other, geekier things my mother wouldn’t appreciate). Beyond the elegant and intuitive Fanfare interface, what impressed me is that TakeTV is simple and easy to use. Period. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than buying an iPod and a Universal Dock.

Up to now, I’ve resisted the temptation to buy an Apple TV because I don’t want to shell out $300 for a device that only works with iTunes. At a third of the price, TakeTV can also be used as a regular USB flash drive, on both Mac and PC, and plays back DivX, xVid and MPEG-4 video files, in addition to SanDisk’s proprietary SMBV video format.

Fanfare is another ground-breaking win for Schematic. More important, now I know what to get Mom for Christmas. Assuming I’m willing to part with it.